Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
Bärbel Bas resigns as SPD co-leader and asks to leave ministerial post
Bärbel Bas is leaving her roles as co-leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, or SPD, and federal labour minister.
She said she needs time to grieve after the death of her stepdaughter and does not currently have the strength to do both jobs fully.
Bas also said public attacks against her, including from members of the SPD’s conservative coalition partner, had continued during her grief.
Her resignation as party co-leader takes effect immediately, and she has asked the chancellor to release her from the ministerial post.
She said the labour ministry needs a leader able to push ahead with planned laws and reforms.
SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil said he understood her decision and condemned the attacks.
The SPD will need to appoint new leadership, but no next steps are specified.
Bärbel Bas said she would step down as co-leader of Germany’s SPD and leave her post as labour minister.
She cited the death of her stepdaughter and said she needed time to grieve.
Bas also pointed to intensified public attacks against her, including from the ranks of the governing coalition partner.
She said she did not currently have the strength to carry out her party and government work fully.
Bas will retain her seat in parliament, and it was not immediately clear who would succeed her.
- Who
- Bärbel Bas, co-leader of Germany’s SPD and labour minister.
- What
- She said she would resign as party co-leader and asked the chancellor to dismiss her from her ministerial post.
- When
- October 12, 2026. Bas said her party resignation took effect that day.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- She cited her stepdaughter’s death and the need to grieve, as well as intensified public attacks against her.
Bas
SPD coalition partners
Public attacks
Bas
Bas said attacks against her had intensified, including from the ranks of the coalition partner.
SPD coalition partners
Not stated
After my stepdaughter's death, I realized that I need time to come to terms with my grief,
The attacks against her during the past days of her mourning were inappropriate. That is unacceptable.
Ich habe festgestellt, dass ich Zeit brauche, um die Trauer zu verarbeiten
Bas announced she would step down as SPD co-leader and seek dismissal from her ministerial post.
Bas said her resignation as party co-leader took effect that day.
- Party role
- Co-leader of the SPD
- Government role
- Germany’s labour minister
- Reason cited
- Death of her stepdaughter
- Parliamentary seat
- Bas said she would retain her mandate as a member of parliament
- Successor
- Not immediately clear who could follow her in the party and government roles
Sources
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